Pumping a surfboard
For advanced surfers, the essence of surfing is executing powerful turns with speed. Speed is the key to making dynamic turns and adds to the thrill of riding a wave. The only exception to this rule is during tube rides, where slowing down to match the speed of the barrel is essential. For non-barrelling waves, the goal is to ride with speed, perform turns, and, if you are going fast enough, attempt aerials. Mastering aerials, however, is a skill only the most advanced surfers achieve after perfecting how to generate speed. This blog is aimed at intermediate surfers who aspire to reach that level, but first need to master the foundational techniques for improved control and speed.
Balangan where we shot the video is known as a very fast wave. To make it through the sections it is essential to be able to pump the surfboard. Other surf spots where pumping is essential are the racetrack section of Uluwatu and every section of Impossibles.
What Sets Intermediate Surfers Apart from Advanced Surfers?
Intermediate surfers often struggle with essential manoeuvres like top turns, bottom turns, and cutbacks, usually due to an improper stance on the board. To surf with fluidity and control, it is essential to adopt a functional stance—this allows for the flexibility needed to shift weight easily and quickly between the front and back foot, compression/extension and hip movement. Your base starting point for learning how to pump a board, is standing on the board correctly with your feet either side of the fulcrum. Without a functional stance, achieving smooth, controlled movements is difficult, and your surfing will lack the flow required to pump the surfboard and do accomplished turns. These are the kind of fundamentals we explore in our guide to surfing better, and we teach you these key details as part of our in-depth, personalised surf coaching program when you stay with us.
The Fundamentals of Pumping a Surfboard
Pumping is the technique of generating speed on a wave by skilfully shifting weight and engaging the surfboard’s rails. Three main components define effective pumping:
- Rail Engagement
- Compression and Extension
- Weight Transfer
Follow these steps to develop a solid pumping technique:
- Weight on the Front Foot – Start by keeping most of your weight on your front foot as you descend the wave, using gravity and the wave’s momentum to help drive the board forward.
- Engage the Rail – At the wave’s bottom, shift weight to your back foot to engage the rail as you compress your body. Engage the rail when you have gained maximum speed from your downward movement.
- Extend Up the Wave – Shift your weight forward by moving your hips. Extend your body to direct the board up the wave’s face, lifting your arms and raising your front foot to help lift the board up the wave.
- Compress – Compress again as you release the rail to ride back down the wave, shifting weight quickly from the back foot to the front foot. This continuous movement of engaging and disengaging the rail, compressing and extending, and shifting weight between front foot and back foot, builds speed through each pump.
Key Points for Consistent Speed
To maximise speed, ride wherever possible the wave’s upper half, where the energy is strongest. Use the wave’s bottom only for turning back up the wave or to navigate around whitewater. Many intermediate surfers struggle to build speed because they remain too low on the wave, or ride too high and lose balance. Effective pumping requires riding the wave at varying heights and consistently applying controlled force to generate and maintain speed.
Adapting to Each Wave
Each wave is unique, requiring adjustments in timing and weight distribution. Wave size and power affect how and when you pump, and adapting to these factors takes practice and experience. Over time, you will develop a feel for when to apply more or less pressure as the wave changes.
Practice Pumping with a Surf Skate
For intermediate surfers, pumping a surfboard can be challenging, especially when it comes to timing and body movement. Practising on a surf skate is a great way to improve these skills on land, helping you understand the mechanics of pumping. Check out our recommended video for a tutorial on how to pump a surf skate in three simple steps.
Pumping a Surfboard Backhand
Pumping a surfboard on your backhand involves the same fundamental movements as on the frontside: engaging and disengaging the rail, extending up the wave, compressing, and shifting weight between the front and back foot. However, due to physiological differences, pumping on the backhand is more challenging. On the frontside, you have three-way movement involving the foot, ankle, and knee, allowing for greater range of motion and control. In contrast, the backhand generally allows only two-way movement, focusing more on the ankle and foot, making it harder to generate speed and fluidity without refined technique and timing.
With commitment to practice and refining your technique, you will build the speed and control needed to take your surfing to the next level.
If you are an intermediate or advanced surfer, and you want to improve your pumping, we invite you to join our surf school at Uluwatu’s top surf camp where we will also teach you essential skills such as how to paddle the surfboard and how to stand on the board correctly.
Check out our surf tutorials for intermediate and advanced surfers.